An Analysis of Islamic Economic Model

The aim of this paper is to discuss some economic Islamic models given by some prestigious Islamic economists. The Islamic model is one of the examples for international economies in the starting of new millennium. It has its evaluation in the 1970s as an alternate to conventional banking system. The model is based on profit loss sharing and would not be based on interest. The study will focus on the proposed model and will discuss the issues that the model will be supposed to address. It was also address whether the model is applicable to Pakistan economy or not it will also be discussed. As we know that there is dual banking system in Pakistan. In order to make banking system to be truly Islam, there should be legal prohibition of riba. In other words, riba should be made unlawful and whoever deals with it can be prosecuted by law. By prohibiting riba, it will force the bank to be more creative in offering financing products rather than just loaning money. The study will attempt to show the comparison between conventional system and Islamic financial and discusses whether the Islamic system works smoothly on the economy of Pakistan. It also shows that Pakistan should change its dual banking system in Islamic banking system to change structure change. In addition, Islamic financing contract require real activities to be created. There will not be loans to finance extravagance lifestyle which is the source of bankruptcies among the younger generation. It is strongly recommended that Pakistan should enforce truly Islamic financial system to sustain its economy and avoid another economic crisis in the future.

Role of Nanoparticles As Contrast Agent in Imaging and Treatment Techniques

Nanotechnology is a fast developing research field that seems to have a large considerable interest in different areas of industry and medicine due to matchless properties of materials that lie under the nano-scale range. One such area of nanotechnology that could be positively impacted in medical field is imaging, especially X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) as well as its role in cancer treatment. Computed tomography is a 3-Dimensional imaging technique at a high spatial resolution, however it needs distribution of an X-ray contrast media (CM) to distinguish clearly the tissues with minor change density or low X-ray attenuation. Presently CT vascular contrast agents depend upon iodine which is speedily cleared by the renal system in many patients. The aim of this project was to synthesize and characterize the gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and it bases on CT contrast agents in imaging and with advantage of its role in treatment techniques. In the first instance, solid gold nanoparticles (SGNPs) and porous gold nanoparticles (PGNPs) were fabricated with naturally occurring lecithin as surfactant. Comparison of both types of gold nanoparticles was done by different characterization techniques like UV-Vis spectroscopy, Zetasizer, zeta-potential, electron microscope and check the application of both types of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as contrast in CT scan. The results of CT imaging show that PGNPs are better contrast agents so good enhancement as compared to SGNPs. Secondly, a number of papers reported earlier with gold nanostars (GNSs) but all of these studies use same synthesis techniques with Cety trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant and PEG as coating material and this method is double or seed-mediated growth method which is very complex. In this thesis, novel strategy for growth of lecithin-coated GNSs has been introduced via lecithin as surfactant and this fabrication method consists of one pot. These GNSs show absorption peak in NIR region that shows bright future of these nanoparticles in imaging and cancer treatment. Gold nanostars (GNSs) have enlarged attention as an X-ray contrast agent because of their high X-ray attenuation, nontoxicity and one pot simple synthesis and surface functionalization for colloidal stability and targeted delivery. Experiments included the investigation of gold nanostars in CT scan in vitro by Eppendorf tubes and in vivo study in living rabbits. These GNSs with different concentration were tested as a contrast agent in CT scan, the results of in vitro CT scan study show that GNSs have good contrast enhancement properties at tube voltage of 135 kV with current 350 mA up to 640, 720, 800 HU for concentration 40, 45, 50 mg/ml, whereas the value of CT number were up to 68, 88, 108 HU for iodine with same amount and with same CT scan parameters i.e. tube voltage of 135 kV with tube current 350 mA. The result of CT scan shows that GNSs are excellent contrast enhancement agents on CT scan at 135 kV compared to iodine. In vivo study on rabbits CT scan showed that GNSs enhance the CT image clarity at 135 kV as compared to iodine. These GNSs were loaded with Doxorubicin. The result shows DOX-loaded GNSs have potential against cancer treatment. Drug release study investigated that drug release more than 50% were observed in 25 hours in PBS containing solution at pH 7.4. Drug release study investigated larger amount of drug release at 37°C compared with 25°C. The effect chemo-photothermal therapy investigated cellular loss reaches to 55%. This loss of cell viability of MCF-7 cells was investigated upto 6 hours incubation in DOX-GNSs. Then to check cytotoxicity, basic biochemical blood parameters were measured in male rabbits. In in vivo study, the influence of the intravenous (IV) route administration of these GNSs in rabbits blood shows minor increase of white blood cells (WBCs) and hemoglobin (HGB) whereas decrease of red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets (PLTs) was observed. Blood serum results show that GNSs affect more on the liver as compared to kidneys.